DevConf.CZ 2025

Elad Tabak

I’m a Principal Software Engineer at Red Hat with a passion for software development and exploring new technologies. With experience spanning large corporations, mid-sized startups, and small companies, I’ve gained deep expertise in building and scaling software solutions. I love coding, problem-solving, and constantly learning new things—both in my professional work and personal projects.


Company or affiliation

Red Hat

Job title

Principal Software Engineer/Architect at Red Hat


Session

06-12
14:35
15min
From Couch to Code: How My Dog Led Me to Smart Home Automation
Elad Tabak

My dog loved sitting on the sofa when we weren’t home, and when we bought a new one, I wanted to keep it fur-free. That simple need led me down the rabbit hole of smart home automation. I researched sensors, connected them to a Zigbee hub, and built an automated deterrent system. But I didn’t stop there.
Once I had the setup running, I started tackling other household challenges—automating the AC, water heater, and even nighttime lights. Each challenge pushed me to explore new devices, protocols, and integrations, eventually turning my home into a truly smart environment.
In this talk, I’ll share my journey from a single problem to a full-fledged smart home, the technical aspects of setting it up, and key lessons learned. Whether you’re new to home automation or already experimenting, this session will inspire you to solve everyday problems with sensors, automation, and a little bit of creativity.

Open Track
A113 (capacity 64)